Aeropuerto de Lavacolla (SCQ) serves Santiago de Compostela, and is located 11kms (seven miles) northeast of the city. Although it’s a relatively small airport, it handles approximately two million passengers annually.

Airport facilities and services include cafés and restaurants, a bank and currency exchange, duty-free shops and car hire operations. The airport does not provide business facilities, however.

Flights to Santiago de Compostela take approximately: 2 hours from London; 16 hours from Los Angeles; 9 hours, 40 minutes from New York; 11 hours from Toronto; and 26 hours from Sydney. Connections in Madrid are necessary when travelling from cities that are not served directly.

Transfer to the city is available by bus and taxi. Empresa Freire SL buses operate from early morning until late evening to the centre, with a journey time of 20 minutes. Taxis operate 24 hoursand take 15 minutes to reach the city centre.

Public bus service in Santiago de Compostela is provided by Trapsa. The service is well-organised and reliable, and operates daily from 07:30 to 22:30. Although no special pass is offered to tourists, it’s possible to buy either a single ticket or a book of tickets valid for 10 trips (bonobus tickets) from the driver on the bus.

There are plenty of taxis available in the city, and they can be hailed on the street and also found at numerous taxis ranks. You’ll find taxis in the centre at the railway station, in Alameda at Avenida Figueroa and 24-hour service at Praza de Roxa. Eurotaxi provides adapted vehicles for passengers with disabilities. Tipping of 5 to 10 per cent is standard.

Car hire services are available at the airport and in the centre. You are advised that traffic can be quite heavy in the city and that traffic jams are frequent, particularly during heavy rains. The streets and roads also become congested during the lunch period, from 13:00 to 14:00 and again in the evening beginning at 20:00.

As Santiago’s old quarter is quite small and compact, it’s handy for visitors to see the sights in the centre on foot. Finding a parking place along the narrow city streets can be difficult, and much of the quarter is restricted to pedestrian traffic only. If you’re driving, it’s best to use one of car parks located around the perimeter of the old quarter. Cycling is an excellent option, and bicycle hire shops are found in and around the centre.